In this episode we discuss: * Dave believes the Blazers had a successful season, I mean they made the playoffs! * CJ McCollum's growth as a defender- can he and the Blazers build on that? * Projecting the Blazer's offseason and roster construction based on scheme * Terry Stotts and the Blazer's offense- ball movement vs player movement * Breaking down playmaking from the post * Vonleh's emergence- can he be the stretch four the Blazers need? * Brian Scalabrine in a time warp- he'd be amazing?! (really.) * Post play and how efficient it is * The ability to draw fouls and how it's a skill * Tangent on officiating (you knew this was coming) * Can Dame and CJ be options 1 and 2 to lead this team? * Roster construction and the draft * How the Blazers have gone from controlling the market on shooting to having questions about it * Trading CJ for Khris Middleton, does that make sense for the Blazers and Bucks? * Is Thon Maker the next Giannis? * Scenarios for Portland that solve their issues without being lateral * Who is untradeable/untouchable? * Paying for future performance vs paying for past performance? * Revisiting last season's free agency- should Portland have pursued Harrison Barnes? * Does Barnes still make sense for Portland? * Paul George to Portland? How realistic is it?

In this episode we discuss: - The Trail Blazers resurgence from 11 games below .500 and how they did it. Ben outlines Portland's turnaround from late January all the way to the closing days of the season - Ben's piece for SI.com on the Blazers outlining their near worst to playoffs and what it took to get there. The evolution after Portland acquired Jusuf Nurkić and what he's meant to Portland - The Nurkić effect on Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Does his addition make the backcourt duo viable going forward long term and will it be enough to overcome the Warrior's backcourt of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson? - We take a bit of tangent discussing the overall change from "typical lineups" to the evolution of small ball. Does Nurkić offer enough to keep the Warriors from staying in their small all lineups? What kind of player does it take to change the paradigm? - Is Noah Vonleh the small ball big the Blazers have been looking for? Can he show something, or enough of something in this series to prove it one way or the other? - Ben and I break down the overwhelming odds facing the Trail Blazers in their first round match up with the Warriors? What's the most likely scenario and what would be a "good" outcome for Portland, save winning the series? - Moving past the playoffs, we discuss Portland's offseason priorities. What does a successful offseason look like? What can Portland do about their precarious salary situation? - Reviewing Ben's thoughts and ideas about the series and big picture takeaways. What do the Blazers need to see from Damian Lillard? - Can CJ McCollum go from a star player to a superstar? Can he take his game to an even higher level? - What does a successful post season look like for first timer Nurkić? What can he show that will give the Blazers hope heading into the 2017-18 season? - Wrapping things up with something new, NBA on Netflix. Here we've taken some suggestions from others as well as some of our own and suggested remakes of some classic and not so classic films fitting NBA personnel into starring roles! That and more on this week's episode of the Trailing Blazers! Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes Listen and subscribe to APBN podcasts at AlmightyBaller.com

In this episode we discuss- - How being sick beyond belief can ruin a podcast - The acquisition of Nurkic and how Portland can fit him into their scheme - What Nurkic can and can't do and how the Blazers will need to change things up - How the Blazers found themselves within 5 games of the worst records in the league - The paths out from mediocrity, trade, free agency, and drafts - Take a look at the upcoming NBA Draft and why tanking has to be done - Dan almost convinces Taylor to say the word "tank" in a positive context That and more on this week's episode! Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes Listen and subscribe to APBN podcasts at AlmightyBaller.com

In this episode we discuss- - The basics of the deal; the good, the bad, and the Plumlee - Chris spends longer than I thought possible hating Mason Plumlee - Breaking down Nurkic's game and how he can help Portland - What does this mean for Portland's future in the immediate and down the road? - The merits of tanking and looking forward to the draft - Breaking down various 2017 NBA Draft possibilites - How can Portland use Nurkic going forward? - What other ways can Portland build, if not through free agency? What will get them to the top again? - What Blazer could get away with what Charles Oakley did in New York? - Does Nurkic bring an element of toughness and intimidation? That and more on this week's Trailing Blazers! Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes Listen and subscribe to APBN podcasts at AlmightyBaller.com

In this episode we discuss- - Why Ropp's dismissal could be a bigger problem - Should Portland control the entire message - Understanding the rules behind the curtain - Why there needs to be a dividing line - Will this hurt Portland in the long run That and more on this impromptu episode Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes Listen and subscribe to APBN podcasts at AlmightyBaller.com

In this episode we discuss: - Expectations vs reality for the Blazers the rest of the season - Comparing the Blazers to the Phoenix Suns of 2014 - The "plexiglass principle" - Is Damian Lillard an All Star? - Trade deadline deals; who's the most likely of partners for the Blazers - Does the Nerlens Noel for Allen Crabbe deal, have any legs? - How much heat is Neil Olshey feeling from Paul Allen right now? - If things continue to trend downwards, who will be the one to go- Olshey or Stotts? That and more on this episode! Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes Listen and subscribe to APBN podcasts at AlmightyBaller.com

In this episode we discuss: - Recent road trip performance - Meyers Leonard's breakout game - Can Leonard put it together? - James Holas joins us to give his take on the Blazers current state - Who ya got? Damian Lillard or Isaiah Thomas- a difficult question for the Celtics fan. - Who has the reins in the Northwest Division? - Debate whether tanking is acceptable, and whether or not Portland should open that door That and more on this week's Trailing Blazers!

In this episode we discuss: - Why this year's team doesn't stack up to last years, and what the Blazers are currently going through - Portland's recent struggles across the board and what's down the road over the next 2 road games vs the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics - How did we get here? The dismantling of the LaMarcus Aldridge lead team until now - What options do the Blazers have? Are the playoffs still in the picture or does this team need to break it down already? - How aggressive should Portland be at the trade deadline? Is anyone off the table in trade talks? - Does Nerlens Noel make sense now? - How does the frustration of this season stack up against Blazers teams of the past?

In this episode we discuss: - Does CJ McCollum belong in the upper echelon of NBA shooters this generation? - McCollum's rise to the top in Lillard's absence - Could McCollum run his own team? - Should the Blazers look to be buyers at the trade deadline? - Are the Blazers thinking playoffs still? - How valuable is Al-Farouq Aminu to the Blazers?